‘Always an honour’ — Michael D Higgins spotted in Galway after departing Aras an Uachtarain
Michael D Higgins has been spotted on his first outing since finishing his tenure as President of Ireland.
Mr Higgins, who wrapped up his stint as President earlier this month after 14 years, has returned to his native Galway after departing Áras an Úachtaráin. Fellow Galwegian Catherine Connolly succeeded him after winning the election back in October.
Following his departure, Mr Higgins was spotted in the Thai Garden in Spanish Arch with his wife Sabina, with him posing with staff who welcomed him back west with open arms.
Michael D Higgins has been spotted on his first outing since finishing his tenure as President of Ireland. Pic: Thai Garden Restaurant Galway
‘We are delighted to welcome Michael and Sabina Higgins back to Galway and especially Thai Garden,’ the restaurant wrote on its Facebook page. ‘It’s always an honour to have you with us.
‘Welcome home, Gaillimh Abú.’
Mr Higgins was in attendance at President Connolly’s inauguration on November 10 at Dublin Castle, alongside other previous Presidents including Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.
Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina were out for a meal at the Thai Garden restaurant in Spanish Arch, Galway. Pic: Thai Garden Restaurant Galway
He initially ran as a Labour candidate in the 2011 Presidential election, participating in several key moments such as becoming the first President of Ireland to visit Queen Elizabeth II in 2014, and delivering an address at Westminster.
He also oversaw two historic referenda as President — the marriage equality referendum and the repealing of the 8th amendment — with an unearthed article from February 1983 showing the then incoming Senator criticising the introduction of the 8th amendment.
He ran again in 2018 as an Independent, winning re-election in a landslide.
Mr Higgins was in attendance at the inauguration of Catherine Connolly earlier this month. Pic: Tony Maxwell
In his second term, he oversaw the country as President during the COVID-19 pandemic, with him going viral several times over the last 14 years for his antics with his dogs, Bród and Síoda, and later Misneach.
